The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas · Page 8

A8 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30. 1997 HEALTH THE SALINA JOURNAL i V HEALTH INSURANCE Seniors get help with HMOs Medicare patients with urgent health needs will get quick response By The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Health maintenance organizations that , deny treatment to senior citizens with urgent health problems • must respond within 72 hours if those patients complain under • new Medicare regulations. "Consumers should have the right to a speedy ruling in cases where time may be crucial," Health and Human Services Sec• retary Donna Shalala said Tuesday in announcing the regula- • tions. The new rules, effective today, ' affect the 13 percent of Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in HMOs — managed care plans that coordinate health services provided by a limited network of doctors and medical facilities. Officials at the American Association of Health Plans, an HMO industry group, said they had not yet seen the final regulations but had talked with the Clinton administration during their development. Until now, Medicare HMOs have had up to 60 days to respond to appeals from patients denied care — even if the care was urgently needed. Now, in cases'where withholding care could jeopardize a Medicare patient's life, health, or ability to regain maximum function, HMOs must give a response within 3 days. Medicare HMOs will also be required to accept verbal requests for appeals and follow up verbally delivered notification of their decisions with a written notice within two working days. HMOs have 120 days to put the new procedures in place, including telling Medicare patients! about their new rights and adding a description of the appeals process to care denial notices. They will have to maintain logs of and report requests for expedited appeals to Medicare. The administration is also working on a proposal to reform the everyday appeals process for Medicare HMO patients who are unhappy with their care but not in dire straits, according to Bruce Fried, director of Medicare's Office of Managed Care. TAIDS AIDS vaccine working in chimpanzees By The Associated Press NEW YORK — An experimental AIDS vaccine made from HIV genes has protected chimpanzees for more than a year, raising doctors' hopes the approach will work in humans. Two chimps got the vaccine and then a stiff dose of HIV — 250 times the amount needed for infection. It's the first time that a so-called DNA vaccine has squared off against HIV in chimps. "We're encouraged but cautious," said David Weiner, senior author of the study. Preliminary tests in people have begun already to look for side effects and see how the vaccine affects the body's defenses against disease. Weiner is an associate professor of pathology and laboratory medi- HOT OB UK THICK 1 whatever your _ have the perfect oan tor NEW AUTOS USED AUTOS as low as as low as 7.O (Annual Percentage Rate) (Annual Percentage Rate) GREAT PLAINS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Listfd in the Fiest Area Wide 605 S. Ohio, Salina 2061 S. Ohio, Salina (913) 823-9226 _ (913) 825-4621 POSTUREHOICVAIUIS;,^ cine at the University of Pennsylvania. He reported the work in the May issue of the journal Nature Medicine with colleagues there and elsewhere, including Apollon /Inc. of Malvern, Pa: The work is "another step toward developing new concepts for vaccines," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Sealy Marlowe Firm 449 Queen Set Twin. 2 PC. Set S279 Full. 2 PC. Set S379 King. 3 PC. Set S649 Sealy Repertoire II Plush 549 Queen Set Twin. 2 PC. Set S349 Full. 2 PC Set S449 King. 3 PC. Set S799 Sealy Exquisite Special Collection Plush Firm or Cushion Firm 599 Queen Set Twin. 2 PC. Set S399 Full. 2 PC. Set S499 King. 3 PC. Set S899 Sealy Opal Elite Sealy Aberdeen Shire _ , _ . . Pillowtop Pillowtop Sealy Cormche Ultra Plush 1,099'1,199 $ 799 Queen Set Twin. 2 PC. Sel S779 Full. 2 PC. Set S949 King. 3 PC. Set S1.399 Queen Set Twin. 2 PC. Sel S879 Full. 2 PC. Sel S1.049 King. 3 PC Set S1.499 Queen Set Twin. 2 PC. Set S519 Full. 2 PC. Set S699 King. 3 PC. Set S999 "Home r=urnisHincfs witn Style ana frice Appeal" 827-7171 • Furniture • Carpet • Drapery 131 S. SANTA FE - DOWNTOWN SALINA -.132 S. FIFTH MISSES SAVANE NO-WRINKLE PANTS GUARANTEE FOUR DAYS ONLY! We GUARANTEE To Have Your Size In Stock Or YOU'LL RECEIVE A PAIR FREE! Guaranteed Misses Sizes Length/ Size 6 8 10 12 14 1618 average short $ 34 Navy • Khaki • Sand • Olive Crafted of a wrinkle-resistant Process 2000 fabric, these 100% cotton pants are available in two styles: • Single pleat with side elastic waist • Double pleat with rigid waist and tunnel belt loops *Slze guarantee offer Is good through Saturday, May 3. Limit one free pair per customer. No phone or mall orders, please. Dilkid's For Your Convenience We Accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Carte Blanche, Diner's Club Or Your Dillard's Charge INTEGRITY. . .QUALITY. . .VALUE. . .DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCEI SHOP TODAY 10 A.M. - 9 P.M.